Certification

The kitchen exhaust industry is growing at a rapid pace and technology is changing all the time. IKECA has developed certification programs to provide individuals with the means to keep on top of the changes in codes, standards and technology that affect everyone in the industry.

Policies for Exam Conduct

At the testing location, you will receive an exam booklet with a separate sheet on which to record your answers by filling in a small circle with a pencil

Test applicants are required to sign the Exam Affidavit Form prior to the start of the exam

Closed book exam – no notes, books or calculators will be permitted in the exam room

Pencils will be available but you are advised to bring two sharp #2 pencils

At the conclusion of the exam, you will be required to return your test booklet and answer sheet to the exam proctor

Beverages are permitted in the testing room; food is prohibited

There is no smoking in the testing room

Cell phones, smart phones, pagers or any other electronic devices are prohibited

Candidates may leave the examination room as needed, but may not take any materials with them when they leave the room and are not allowed to bring materials back into the room with them. You are not permitted to remove a copy of the test booklet from the room

Collaboration/disruptive conduct during the test are prohibited. Any violation of this regulation shall result in a score of zero for the test, and possible prohibition from sitting future IKECA certification tests

IKECA reserves the right to cancel any test score if, in the association’s sole opinion, there is adequate reason to challenge its validity

IKECA reserves the right to delete from scoring any question which is determined to have been exposed before the test administration, or is determined to be flawed

IKECA reserves the right to cancel a test administration if it has been determined that the security of the test was violated prior to its administration

Candidates who experience extraordinary disturbances/distractions during an IKECA test may detrimentally or materially affect their performance should file a written complaint with the IKECA office. Such a complaint or appeal must be filed within 7 days of the administration of the test, and must describe the nature and effects of the disturbance or distraction. Complaints or appeals submitted after 7 days, or the release of score letters, shall not be considered

How to Get Certified

Applying for Certification:

Decide which certification is right for you.

Schedule an exam date and time with a private, third-party proctor in your area from either a local library, testing center or college/university. Other facilities will require approval from IKECA.

Review the exam application and ensure accurateness and completeness; incomplete applications will not be accepted. Send your completed application and appropriate fees to IKECA Headquarters.

Wait for your confirmation which will be delivered via email within 3-5 business days.

Take Your Exam:

Be sure to review the IKECA’s policies on exam conduct and irregularities

Find out from your proctor in advance of the exam date how early you need to arrive the day of your exam as well as what will be required (e.g… picture identification) in order for you to sit for the exam.

Take the test!

Wait for the results, which will be sent via email within two weeks of receiving the completed exam from the proctor.

If You Pass Your Exam:

You will be sent a letter accompanied by an ID Card and certificate which detail your expiration date. Understanding certification maintenance requirements will be key to you maintaining your certification in good standing. Review those requirements here. Each certified individual is responsible for maintaining a valid certification.

If You Fail Your Exam:

While disappointing, these things do happen. We encourage you to retake the exam.

Complete the Exam Re-take Application found here and follow steps to locate a proctor.

Schedule your exam within one year of your original exam date in order to qualify for the re-take fee. Please note that if you have a membership application in, you have 90 days to re-sit for the exam.

Questions? If after reviewing these steps you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (215) 320-3876 x 1. Please leave a message if we do not pick up immediately and we will return your call within 24 hours. For faster service, please email us at information@ikeca.org.

Test Critique Procedures

IKECA uses a formal procedure to allow and encourage all candidates to challenge the content of specific test questions or the overall test. Under this procedure, candidates receive a special critique form during the test that they may complete anonymously, noting possibly vague or ambiguous aspects of questions, or other test quality issues. These forms should be completed during the administration of the test, but after the candidate has completed all examination questions. The critiques are used by IKECA in its post administration, quality control review of the test.

Translator Services

Employees don’t speak English? Have a translator proctor their exam! For our non-English speaking members, IKECA is now offering an opportunity to have a third-party translator proctor and deliver an IKECA certification exam in their own language. This is exciting news to any IKECA member who is in need of a translator during the exam process!

How to Use a Translator

Review the translators below and select the one most appropriate for you.

Contact the translator and schedule an appointment to take your exam, including date, time and location (all translation fees are the individual/company’s responsibility).